Roger A. Koenke Obituary
Roger A. Koenke, 88, of Brown Deer, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 29, 1937, to Norman and Doris Koenke.
He graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He earned a bachelor's degree from Adrian College in Michigan and a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
While in graduate school, he met his wife, Gail Koenke. They married on June 13, 1964, and raised two children in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. Roger worked for the State of Wisconsin's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for over 30 years, helping individuals find pathways to employment and education. He was known as a compassionate and steady counselor who valued helping others, often showing his care through quiet, consistent work.
He enjoyed working with Gail on their home and yard, spending time with his family, reading, and taking family trips to Door County, the Northwoods of Wisconsin, and across the country. Roger was creative throughout his life. He pursued woodcarving, drawing, painting, and sculpture. Upon his retirement, he pursued his art, exhibiting his work in art shows and galleries in the Milwaukee area. He found inspiration for his art in nature, collecting sticks, stones, and other natural materials, which he would turn into remarkable found-object sculptures.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gail Koenke. His two children, Mark (Kristy) Koenke of Jackson, Wisconsin, and Julie (Amy Climer) Koenke of Asheville, North Carolina. He is survived by his granddaughters, Haley (Alex Lutz) Koenke, Denver, Colorado; Alissa (Trevor Greisinger) Koenke, Madison, Wisconsin; and Tiffany Dixon, Asheville, North Carolina. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Tietz, of Watertown, Wisconsin, and his brother, Karl Koenke, of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, as well as members of his extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Norman Koenke, and his parents, Norman and Doris Koenke.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, WI 53005. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a service at 2:00 p.m., followed by a light lunch. Burial will be held after the service for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Roger's name to the Museum of Wisconsin Art, 205 Veterans Ave., West Bend, WI 53095, or via Museum of Wisconsin Art (https://wisconsinart.org). Visitation Saturday, July 11, 2026 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Wisconsin Memorial Park - Chapel of Flowers 13235 W. Capitol Dr. Brookfield, WI 53005 Phone: (262) 781-7474.
